Meta, the parent company of Facebook and WhatsApp, is facing a seismic legal battle in the UK. A colossal £3 billion collective action lawsuit has been filed against the tech giant, alleging it illegally merged the personal data of millions of WhatsApp users with its Facebook platform.
The claim, brought by renowned digital rights advocate Professor Jérôme de Guzman, accuses Meta of exploiting its 2014 acquisition of WhatsApp to create a vast, interconnected data reservoir. This alleged data harvesting operation, which reportedly began in 2016, is said to have violated UK competition and data protection laws by happening without users' proper, informed consent.
The Core of the Allegations
Professor de Guzman's case hinges on the claim that Meta's actions fundamentally breached the trust of its UK user base. The lawsuit asserts that the data merging practice was not a simple technical update but a strategic move designed to fuel Meta's powerful targeted advertising engine.
Key allegations include:
- Illegally linking WhatsApp user phone numbers and metadata to Facebook profiles.
- Failing to provide clear, unambiguous opt-out mechanisms for users.
- Exploiting its dominant market position to force through privacy-invasive terms.
- Creating unparalleled data profiles for advertising gain without compensating users.
A Landmark Case for Digital Rights
This isn't just another tech lawsuit; it's a watershed moment for data privacy in Britain. Filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the case is an 'opt-out' collective action. This means it automatically represents every affected WhatsApp user in the UK between 2016 and the present—potentially encompassing over 44 million people.
If successful, each eligible user could receive a payout, transforming how tech giants approach user data and consent in the UK market. The case sends a powerful message that the covert commercialisation of personal information will face severe legal and financial consequences.
Meta's Response and the Road Ahead
Meta has vigorously denied any wrongdoing, stating its practices were fully compliant with UK law and that user consent was appropriately sought. The company is expected to mount a robust defence against what it may view as an unmerited claim.
This lawsuit places Meta under intense scrutiny once again, following a history of regulatory challenges concerning its data practices across the globe. The outcome could set a critical precedent, potentially reshaping the data governance strategies of all major tech firms operating in the UK and influencing similar actions across Europe.
